Phil,
That may be a broad generalization (away from which my H.S. English teacher
always told us to stay!) but I can cite one recent instance of its
verity.......
I was trying to find a damper spring for an MGA steering rack. None of the
Big 3 had it in stock, so I called a number of smaller MG parts suppliers
who advertise in Hemmings. Eventually I reached Scarborough Faire.
I was pleased to find they had the part but they were loath to sell it to me
because it was so inexpensive. I offered to pay whatever it cost, or a
minimum charge for processing the order, plus whatever they wanted to charge
for shipping. (I really needed the part!)
The conversation then became what a less tolerant man would have considered
downright ludicrous. I offered to pay by credit card but the amount was "too
small to make it worth doing that". I offered to pay against invoice
enclosed with the part and was told "they all say that". I stated that I am
a Moss Distributor and was told "that means nothing; Moss sends us all their
deadbeat customers". Several more comments in a similar vein, questioning my
honesty (over a 90 cent part!) followed..........
In fairness, they did mail the part to me, enclosing an invoice - which I
paid the day I received it - but I was left with a definite feeling that
this was an odd way of doing business. I don't know if that is typical of
Eastern parts suppliers but I am certainly not inclined to use this
particular one in future!
Lawrie
British Sportscar Center
(in Northern California, we we treat our customers rather more politely)
----- Original Message -----
From: Phil Bates <jello@ida.net>
To: Valerie Stabenow <hlub34a@aeroinc.net>
Cc: <AEKell@aol.com>; <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2001 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: MGA Interior/Upholstery/vote
> I'll second that for the product and quality, but just remember when you
> deal with them that they are easterners, so if you're from the south,
> mid-west or west, their behaviour isn't the same as yours will be.
>
> Phil Bates
>
> Valerie Stabenow wrote:
>
> > My vote goes for Scarborough Faire out in Rhode Island. I bought their
> > black leather with red piping for my MkII
> >
> > Valerie Stabenow, mga, tr4a, xk-e, tr6
|